VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoian teen Nguyen Dac Tien defeated senior player Tran Minh Dang of HCM City in the first qualifying match of the Viet Nam Masters tennis tournament yesterday, Dec 24.

Hanoian teen Nguyen Dac Tien.— File Photo

Tien's win of 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 at the city's Phu Tho Club was an unexpected one. The event has attracted 16 of the best male tennis players of the nation.

Tien took part in a training course in Spain before the Masters tournament. He has been called the best player in the under-14 group in Viet Nam.

He will next meet teammate Trinh Linh Giang in the tournament.

Earlier, Vietnamese Vu Atern, who is based abroad, beat Tran Ngoc Hien 6-3, 6-3 in an all-Military team match. Vu will meet Vietnamese Nguyen Hoang Thien in the second round today.

Lam Quang Tri of Ca Mau beat Dang Ngoc Vinh of the Military 6-0, 6-2. His next challenger is Ho Huynh Dan Mach, also of the Military.

In the last match, Le Cong Tien of the Military trounced Mai Thanh Dong from Binh Duong 6-3, 6-1. He will next face teammate Tran Hoang Anh Khoa.

Four players who qualify will advance to the next round where they will meet wildcard holders – Do Minh Quan, Le Quoc Khanh (HCM City), Tran Thanh Hoang (Military) and Pham Minh Tuan (Da Nang).

They will be divided in two groups, with two winners entering the semi-finals.

The women's matches will start today, with eight players competing in two groups in a round-robin format. The four best performers will qualify for the semi-final round.

The final match will be held on December 31.

Source: VNS